kakulangan

Kakulangan is a Filipino noun that denotes lack, deficiency, or shortage. It refers to the state of not having enough of something, whether a material resource, a capability, or a condition. The term can describe quantitative shortfalls as well as qualitative inadequacies.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the root kulang, meaning to be lacking, with the ka- affix forming a noun that expresses a state or condition. It is commonly used with the preposition sa to specify what is lacking, for example kakulangan sa pagkain (shortage of food) or kakulangan sa pondo (funding shortfall).

Contexts and examples: Kakulangan appears across domains such as economics, governance, education, health, and social services. Examples include kakulangan sa pagkain, kakulangan sa pondo para sa proyekto, kakulangan sa pasilidad, kakulangan sa guro, and kakulangan sa kaalaman. The term can refer to both systems-level deficits and individual limitations.

Implications and responses: Kakulangan often leads to service gaps, reduced welfare, and hindered development. Addressing it typically involves resource allocation, capacity-building, policy reform, and improvements in infrastructure and institutions. In discourse, the concept is used to diagnose problems and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, while recognizing that focusing solely on deficits may overlook existing assets and resilience.

See also: Kasapatan (the opposite of kakulangan, meaning sufficiency or adequacy). In English, kakulangan is commonly translated as shortage or deficiency.

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